World Philosophy Day 2020

CJC World Philosophy Day Essay Writing Competition - 2020

NOTE: This competition is open to all current JC1 Students who have completed their Promotional Examinations, and outgoing JC2s students;

Organized in celebration of - World Philosophy Day, 19th November, 2020;

The contemporary philosopher, Anthony Grayling, believes that philosophy should play a useful role in society and public policy (not just in academia).

A philosophy essay by its very nature involves critical thinking, logical reasoning (from premises to conclusion), and conceptual analysis skills – as critical thinking and rational argumentation are characteristic methods of philosophical inquiry.

Write an essay in response to ONE of the following questions:
1) The learning of philosophy should be a compulsory subject and integral part of a foundational education worldwide. Comment.
2) What, in your opinion, should be done to address the concerns of the ‘Me-Too’ Movement in confronting the challenges of toxic masculinity?
3) Should we be proponents or opponents of ‘Cancel Culture’?
4) To compete with the rise and increasing dominance of Artificial Intelligence, the only rational course of action is to reconstruct ourselves in a manner more like AI machines.
5) Combatting the pandemic has shown how much the political philosophy of a country’s polity matters. Comment.

Guidelines and requirements for writing your Philosophy Essay:

Length of Essay: At least 800 to 1500 words (feel free to exceed if need be);

Your essay is an argumentative defense of your adopted Thesis – in which the thesis is clearly stated, explained and analyzed; arguments are rationally presented in support of the thesis; possible objections (counter-arguments) are fairly considered, objectively evaluated, and rationally refuted.

Your philosophical essay thus has five component parts:
1) The effective formulation of a Thesis – stated clearly in the introduction;
2) Arguments (reasons and evidence) set out in support and defense of Thesis
3) Careful critical consideration and evaluation of counter-arguments and counter-examples (objections to Thesis);
4) Refutation of counter-arguments / objections;
5) Effective conclusion – final thoughts / closing remarks;

Submit your essay in hard copy as a - word document - Times New Roman, font size 12;
Indicate on a cover page: Name in full; Identity Number, and Tutorial Group;
Declaration with signature that – ‘This essay is my own work’ (not plagiarized)
Submission Date: Friday, 8th January, 2021.
Teacher-in-Charge: Mr. David L Fahy (Senior Teacher), English Department, CJC